Method and Apparatus for a Trouser leg

ABSTRACT

A device for preventing a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer&#39;s foot and a footbed of an open-back shoe can comprise an elongate member and an attachment member. The elongate member can be configured for placement within the trouser leg such that the elongate member does not protrude from the trouser leg. The elongate member can be positioned at a bottom of a trouser leg such that the elongate member does not extend below the bottom of the trouser leg, oriented such that the elongate member is generally perpendicular to the bottom of the trouser leg, and coupled to the trouser leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for improving the aesthetic of trouser legs and more particularly, in some embodiments, to methods and apparatuses for preventing a trouser leg from catching between a footbed of an open-back shoe and a bottom of a wearer's foot.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of footwear have an open back, or no heel covering. These include, for example, sandals, sliders, flip-flops and others. The heel height of open-back shoes varies, ranging between approximately ¼ inch up to six inches or more.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that when open-back shoes are worn with trousers that extend beyond the bottom of the wearer's heel in a normal standing position, the bottom of a trouser leg may catch between a bottom of the wearer's foot and a footbed of the open-back shoe. This is uncomfortable for the wearer and is unsightly.

Thus, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for preventing a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer's foot and a footbed of an open-back shoe can comprise an elongate member and one or more attachment members. The elongate member can be configured for placement within the trouser leg such that the elongate member does not protrude from the trouser leg.

In one embodiment, a method for preventing a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer's foot and a footbed of an open-back shoe can comprise the steps of positioning an elongate member at a bottom of a trouser leg such that the elongate member does not extend below the bottom of the trouser leg, orienting the elongate member such that the elongate member is generally perpendicular to the bottom of the trouser leg, and coupling the elongate member to the trouser leg.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of the invention disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings of the preferred embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the invention. The drawings contain the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment attached to a lower end of a trouser leg.

FIG. 2 is a trouser leg device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a trouser leg device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a trouser leg device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a trouser leg device according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a foot 10 wearing a shoe 12 and a trouser leg 14 extending below a footbed 16 of the shoe 12. As a wearer walks the trouser leg 14 can become caught between the foot 10 and the footbed 16 of the shoe 12. A device 20 can be attached to the trouser leg 14 to prevent the trouser leg 14 from becoming caught between the foot 10 and the footbed 16 of the shoe 12. As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the device 20 can comprise an elongate member 22 and an attachment member 24. The elongate member 22 can maintain the trouser leg in a straight configuration in the region where the device 20 is attached to the trouser leg 14 so that the trouser leg 14 does not catch between the foot 10 and the footbed 16 of the shoe 12.

In one embodiment, the elongate member 22 can comprise a bar 26 and the attachment member 24 can comprise a pin 28 and a finding 30, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The bar 26 can have a hole 32 in a first end 34 of the bar 26. The bar 26 can be made of a rigid material, such as wood, plastic, or metal, or the like. The elongate member can be long, narrow, and thin to reduce visibility of the bar from the exterior of the trouser leg 14 when the device 20 is attached with the bar 26 on the interior of the trouser leg 14. For example, the elongate member can be between two and eight inches long, between approximately ½ inch and approximately two inches wide, and less than approximately ¼ inch thick. In one embodiment, the elongate member may be eight inches long, 1 inch wide, and ⅛ inch thick.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pin 28 can have a head 36 and a shaft 38 opposite the head 36. In some embodiments, the shaft 38 can have a pointed end. The pin 28 can be placed through the trouser leg 14 and the hole 32 in the bar 26. In some embodiments, the head 36 of the pin 28 can be positioned exterior to the trouser leg. Alternatively, the head 36 of the pin 28 can be positioned with the head 36 interior to the trouser leg 14. The bar 26 is preferably positioned in the interior of the trouser leg 14 so that the bar 26 reduce visibility of the bar 26. Alternatively, the bar 26 can be positioned exterior of the trouser leg 14.

The finding 30 can receive the end of the shaft 38 of the pin 28 to prevent the pin 28 from being pulled from the trouser leg 14. In some embodiments, the finding 30 can be a separate component from the bar 26, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the finding 30 can be integrally formed with the bar 26.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the device 20 can be substantially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 2, but further includes a second pin 28 which extends through a hole 32 in a second end 40 of the bar 26. The two pins 28 can prevent the bar 26 from undesirably rotating or moving out of the desired orientation.

The device 20 can be used to prevent a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer's foot and a footbed of an open back shoe. The elongate member 22 can be positioned at a bottom of the trouser leg at a location generally behind a wearer's foot 10. The elongate member 22 is preferably positioned such that when a wearer is standing the elongate member 22 extends from a location sufficiently far above the footbed 16 of the shoe 12 to a location sufficiently far below the footbed 16 of the shoe 12 to prevent the elongate member 22 from moving between the wearer's foot 10 and the footbed 16 of the shoe 12.

The elongate member 22 can be oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to a bottom of the trouser leg 14 and attached to the trouser leg 14. In some embodiments, the elongate member 22 can be attached to the trouser leg 14 at a first end 34 such that the elongate member hangs downwardly from the attachment member 24. In some embodiments, the weight of the elongate member 22 causes the elongate member to hang downwardly toward the bottom of the trouser leg 14. As a wearer walks, sits, stands and/or engages in other activity, the device 20 maintains the trouser leg 14 hanging in a generally straight manner at a location where the device 20 has been attached to the trouser leg 14. Thus, the device 20 can prevent the trouser 14 from catching between a wearer's foot and the footbed of the open-back shoe.

In certain preferred embodiments, the device 20 inconspicuously prevents a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer's foot and a footbed of an open back shoe to avoid the unsightly condition that exists when the trouser leg becomes caught between the wearer's foot and the shoe, while also avoiding the creation of a different unsightly condition by the visibility or appearance of the device. Thus, in some embodiments, the elongate member is preferably positioned on an interior of the trouser leg 14 and does not extend below the bottom of the trouser leg 14 so that the elongate member is not visible when the trousers are worn.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the head 36 of the pin 28 or the finding 30 can be covered in fabric so that the device 20 is less noticeable, while in other embodiments the head 36 or the finding 30 can be ornamented. For example, the head 36 or the finding 30 can be metallic, colorful, patterned, jeweled, or include other decorations or combinations of these or other ornamentation. The head 36 and finding 30 can be spherical, disc-shaped, or have other configurations.

In some embodiments, the attachment member 24 can comprise thread 42 which attaches the elongate member 22 to the trouser leg 14, as shown in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the attachment member 24 can comprise a pocket 44 that is formed by sewing a piece of fabric to the trouser leg 14, as shown in FIG. 5. The elongate member 22 can then be slid into the pocket 44 and may be removed and replaced by the user as desired.

In further alternative embodiments, the attachment member 24 can include other removable attachment methods, such as Velcro™, certain adhesives, or magnets. In still further embodiments, the elongate member 22 can be attached to the trouser leg by a non-removable attachment member 24.

Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention herein described should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 

1. A device for preventing a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer's foot and a footbed of an open-back shoe, comprising an elongate member and an attachment member, the elongate member being configured for placement within the trouser leg such that the elongate member does not protrude from the trouser leg.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is generally planar.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member has a hole in at least one end and the attachment member comprises at least one pin and at least one finding, the pin having a head and a pointed end that is adapted to pass through the hole in the elongate member, the finding being adapted to receive the pointed end of the pin.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the head of the pin is ornamented.
 5. The device of claim 3, further comprising at least a second pin and at least a second finding.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises thread that attaches the elongate member to the trouser leg.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises a pocket that is sewn to the trouser leg.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises velcro.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises an adhesive.
 10. A method for preventing a trouser leg from catching between a bottom of a wearer's foot and a footbed of an open-back shoe, comprising the steps of: positioning an elongate member at a bottom of a trouser leg such that the elongate member does not extend below the bottom of the trouser leg orienting the elongate member such that the elongate member is generally perpendicular to the bottom of the trouser leg; coupling the elongate member to the trouser leg.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongate member is spaced from the bottom of the trouser leg.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongate member is positioned directly against the trouser leg.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongate member is removably coupled to the trouser leg.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongate member is removably coupled to the trouser leg by at least one pin.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising removably coupling the elongate member to the trouser by at least a second pin.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongate member is oriented before being positioned at the bottom of the trouser leg.
 17. The method of claim 10, further comprising positioning, orienting, and coupling to the trouser leg a second elongate member. 